National Republican., 1887-07-09
THE PRESIDENTS LETTER.
What the Leading Editors of the Coun-
try Think of 1t.

Try OI
Editorial opinions on the Presidents let
ter Withdrawing his acceptance Of the invi-
tation to attend the G. A. X. encampment
at st. Louis are varied as the papers accord
with or are opposed to the adninistra-
tior. Mugwump and Democratic papers
generally applaud the letter and the senti-
ments therein expressed as evidencing great
wisdom and patriotism, in which the Presi-
dent sinks all consideration Of self Ia an
endeavor to maintain the dignity of his
high Office by refusing to expose himself to
any insults or indignities. Republican news
papers, however, charge him with manifest
ing fear to meet the Grand Army. They re-
gard the letter as actuated entirely by per-
sonal motives, utterly regardless Of the
void Of any representative capacity. Ex-
tracts from editorials Of the leading papers
are given herewith
Philadelphia Ledger: President Cleve-
lands letter to Mayor Francis withdrawing
his promise to visit st. Louis during the
Grand Army encampment is perfectly
plain statement Of good reasons why he
should forego his intended visit. There is
great deal Of sting in It for the Grand
Army men who compelled him, out Of self
respect, to decline, but the sting arises from
the event, not from any apparent effort Of
the President to retaliate on them. The
dignity Of his position and consideration
for his friends, who might be mortified II,
In the presence Of boorish opposition he
should persist In going to st. Louis, com
PEELED the President to withdraw, and he
has done so In temperate explanation OF
his position to which even his political enc
mics cannot take exception.
New York Herald: What, then, is the
comes from St. LouisY In the
last analysis 1t is caused by a few dis
giuntled Jacobin politicians who are en-.
vious OF Democratic success. 1t is gross
and indecent exhibition of partisan dog-iu-
the-mapgerism, OF the most contemplate
spirit Of demagogy that has been seen since
the close Of the war. 1t calls itself patriot
ism, but IT uses the national flag as con.
venient disguise to hide its real motives as
1t steals towards the national treasury. IL
cries country but 1t means Office. II stands
in the market place, and like the fool Phsri-
see Of old, thanks God that it Is not as
other men are, not even as this poor Demo
crat who is not enough Of politician to be
dishonest. And all the while under its
waistcoat its false heart beats loudly for q
chance to get at the perquisites OF power.
Philadelphia Times: The Presidents re-
fusal to go TO st. Louis at the time OF the
meeting Of the Grand Army is what was to
be expected from him under the clrcum-
stances. The insulting utterances OF few
blatherskites whose position seemed to en-
title them to speak for that organization
made his proposed visit impossible, aud he
expresses this with manly frankness and
dignity that will make his letter to the
mayor OF st. Louis one Of the most effective
utterances Of the year.
Philadelphia Record The President has
withdrawn his acceptance of an invitation
I 10 70 10 st. Louis on public occasion be-
cause OF some unpleasant expressions In
reference 10 the matter by members of the
association Of the Grand Army Of the Re.
public; but he has resolved to pay st. Louis
an informal visit without an invitation.
The effect OF this contretemps will doubt
lesa be to make the informal occasion more
impressive than the formal affair would
have been. Partisanship is not yet so
blindly rancorous In this country that re-
spect is lost for the President Of the United
States whoever he may happen to be.
New York Times The dignided aud
patriotic letter Of the President Withdraw
| Ing his acceptance OF the invitation to
| visit st. Louis during the encampment
there Of the Grand Army Of the Republic
is calculated to make that organization
| ashamed Of the conduct OF some Of It's con-
spicuous members. While he speaks OF the
| organization with the utmost respect, and
refuses to believe that 1t is responsible for
| the unworthy utterances that have induced
| him to reconsider his intention to visit st.
Louis, 1t 10 TO be feared that the incident
will tend to lower the Grand Army In the
esteem and respect of the country at large.
1t will not hurt the President, but there Is a
danger that 1t will hurt an organization
made up OF veterans whom the people
have every reason to honor and every de-
sire to honor.
New York Tribune: 1t will be read with
| mingled feelings of amazement and con.
tempt by friends and foes alike. The
President has in truth made a bad matter
infinitely worse by refusing to go TO st.
Louis and by Offering the snivelling excuses
contained In this letter. A man OF genius
and courage would have found at the en-
campment a crowning opportunity for re.
gaining prestige lost through a series OF
incredible blunders. IL the President had
gone to the soldiers reunion the dignity OF
his office would have amply protected him
against insult and have moderated the fury
Of the angriest of the veterans. IL he could
have waited patiently for hearing aud al
the right moment have made cordial, sym
pathetic, and patriotic speech to the Grand
Army, he would have, succeeded IL
disaTming the most hostile critics
Even II his worst apprehen sion,
had been confirmed, and he hat
been hissed by the soldiers and
angrily denounced by some OF the leading
speakers, he would have prohted by the de
monstration, which would have caused
reaction In his favor. But II his courag,
had been equal to the occasion, he could
have done better than this. He could hay,
converted the encampment into scene o
personal triumph by reminding the yeteran
OF their heroic achievements, by recognizing
their virtues and sacrifices, and by appealing
TO patriotism which had proved Itself by no
BILE deeds and not by Kisses and angry W lords
The President allowed great opportunit,
for regaining the confidence OF the soldiers
to escape him when he decided upon
pusillanimous retreatfrom the encampment
Philadelphia Press With that fatal lacl
Of tact and judgment which seems to clinl
to Mr.. Cleveland whenever he has to dea
with any subject nearly or remotely re
lated to the war OF the rebellion, the Presl